Comparing life in South Cyprus with North Cyprus
Cyprus, a beautiful and legendary island in the Mediterranean Sea, with its stunning beaches, rich history and dynamic culture, has always attracted the attention of tourists and expats. But the remarkable thing about Cyprus is that this island is divided into two separate parts: South Cyprus and North Cyprus. These two parts, despite their geographical proximity, have significant differences from each other in terms of politics, economy, culture and lifestyle.
Deciding whether to live in South or North Cyprus can be challenging for many people. Each of these areas has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the final choice depends on your priorities and living conditions. In this comprehensive article, we are going to compare life in South Cyprus with North Cyprus and help you make an informed decision by carefully examining various aspects.
A Journey into the Past: The Roots of the Partition of Cyprus
Understanding the roots of the division of Cyprus helps to better understand the differences between the two parts of the island. To begin comparing life in South Cyprus with North Cyprus, we must first go back and look at the history of this island. Cyprus has been under the rule of different empires for centuries, including Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and British. During these periods, the population of Cyprus consisted mainly of Greeks and Turkish Cypriots.
After the Second World War, the independence movement gained strength in Cyprus. Finally, Cyprus declared its existence as an independent state in 1960 with a shared power structure between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. However, ethnic tensions persisted, and in 1974, a Greek-sponsored military coup occurred in Cyprus, leading to Turkish military intervention. This event led to the division of Cyprus into two parts: Northern (under Turkish control) and Southern (under Greek Cypriot control).
Two sides of the same coin: an overview of South Cyprus and North Cyprus
South Cyprus, officially the Republic of Cyprus, is the southern part of the island and a member of the European Union. With its strong economy and developed infrastructure, this sector is known as a popular tourism and business destination. The capital of Southern Cyprus, Nicosia, is the only divided capital in the world.
In contrast, Northern Cyprus, officially called the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is only recognized by Turkey. This sector has an economy based on tourism, agriculture and exports. Northern Cyprus is known for having a more relaxed lifestyle and lower cost of living.
In the rest of this article, we will compare life in South Cyprus with North Cyprus from various aspects, including the cost of living, economy, infrastructure, education system, health care, culture and tourist attractions. Stay with us to get a clear picture of both parts of Cyprus and be able to choose the best place to live based on your preferences.
Comparing life in South Cyprus with North Cyprus
life expenses:
One of the most important factors in comparing life in South Cyprus with North Cyprus is the cost of living. In general, the cost of living in Northern Cyprus is significantly lower than in Southern Cyprus. This is especially true for housing, food, and transportation. For example, renting a two-bedroom apartment in Nicosia (Southern Cyprus) is on average around €1,000 per month, while in Northern Cyprus you can rent a similar apartment for €400 per month.
Economy:
The economy of South Cyprus is stronger and more diverse than that of North Cyprus. South Cyprus is a member of the European Union and enjoys the economic benefits of this union such as the common market, the euro as the currency and access to the financial resources of the European Union. The main sectors of the South Cyprus economy include tourism, financial services, transport and agriculture.
The economy of Northern Cyprus is primarily based on tourism, agriculture and exports to Türkiye. While the economy of Northern Cyprus has grown in recent years, it is still significantly smaller and less developed than that of Southern Cyprus.
Infrastructure:
The infrastructure of South Cyprus is generally of a higher quality than that of North Cyprus. This applies to roads, power grids, drinking water and sewage systems. South Cyprus also has a well-developed public transport network with buses, trains and an international airport.
In Northern Cyprus, infrastructure is developing, but still faces problems in some areas. For example, power outages and lack of drinking water are common in some areas.
education system:
The educational system of South Cyprus is based on the Greek educational system and includes primary schools to university. Education in South Cyprus public schools is free for EU citizens.
In Northern Cyprus, the education system is based on the Turkish education system. Public schools in Northern Cyprus are free, but private education options are also available.
Health Cares:
The health care system of South Cyprus is recognized as one of the best health care systems in Europe. This system includes public and private hospitals, clinics and pharmacies. EU citizens enjoy free or low-cost healthcare in South Cyprus.
Health care in Northern Cyprus is also generally of good quality, but may not be as advanced in some areas as in Southern Cyprus.
Culture:
The culture of South Cyprus is mainly influenced by Greek culture. This is evident in language, food, music and dance. South Cyprus also has a diverse society with immigrants from different countries.
The culture of Northern Cyprus is a combination of Turkish, Arabic and Mediterranean cultures. This is evident in language, food, music and dance.
Tourist Attractions:
Both parts of Cyprus have their own unique tourist attractions. South Cyprus is famous for its beautiful beaches, historical monuments and rich cultural heritage. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in South Cyprus are:
- Paphos: This ancient city has Roman mosaics, royal tombs and the House of Dionysus.
- Limassol: This beautiful port city has a castle, harbor and sandy beaches.
Nicosia: The capital of Cyprus, Nicosia has many museums, churches and mosques.
Northern Cyprus also has beautiful beaches, but also mountains, forests and traditional villages. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in North Cyprus are:
- Kyrenia: This beautiful port city has a castle, harbor and sandy beaches.
- Famagusta: This historic city has Venetian walls, churches and mosques.
- Karpaz: The Karpaz peninsula is located at the northernmost point of Cyprus and is famous for its pristine beaches and wild nature.
Comparison of immigration conditions to South Cyprus and North Cyprus:
In addition to the cases mentioned in the previous sections, the comparison of immigration conditions to South and North Cyprus can also be important for many people.
South Cyprus:
- To immigrate to South Cyprus, applicants must first apply for a Cyprus national visa (type D visa). This visa allows you to live and work in South Cyprus for a period of 1 year.
- After arriving in South Cyprus, you can apply for a residence card (pink card). The residence card allows you to live and work in South Cyprus for a period of 2 years.
- After spending 5 years living in South Cyprus with a residence card, you can apply for South Cyprus citizenship.
Northern Cyprus:
- To immigrate to North Cyprus, applicants can apply for a North Cyprus Entry Visa (Visa Type B). This visa allows you to stay in Northern Cyprus for 90 days.
- After arriving in Northern Cyprus, you can apply for a residence permit (blue card). The Blue Card allows you to live and work in Northern Cyprus for a period of 1 year.
- After spending 3 years living in Northern Cyprus with a blue card, you can apply for Northern Cyprus citizenship.
Conclusion:
Comparing life in South Cyprus with North Cyprus shows that both parts of the island have their own advantages and disadvantages. The final choice of place to live depends on your preferences and circumstances.
If you are looking for a modern lifestyle, strong economy and developed infrastructure, South Cyprus may be a better choice for you. However, if you are looking for a lower cost of living, a more traditional culture and a more relaxed lifestyle, North Cyprus can be an attractive option.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to visit both parts of Cyprus and experience for yourself.
See more: Life in Northern Cyprus
Kargar Consulting and Investment Company with more than 14 years of brilliant experience in investment and property purchase in North Cyprus and having more than 18 active branches in Iran, Turkey and North Cyprus, is ready to provide you with expert advice in the field of choosing the best The place to live in Cyprus is according to your needs and budget.
In the rest of this article, we will examine some frequently asked questions about living in South and North Cyprus.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the official language in South and North Cyprus?
- The official language in Southern Cyprus is Greek.
- The official language in Northern Cyprus is Turkish.
2. What is the currency in South and North Cyprus?
- The currency in South Cyprus is the Euro.
- The currency in Northern Cyprus is the Turkish Lira.
3. What is the weather like in southern and northern Cyprus?
- Cyprus has a Mediterranean climate with hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters.
4. Can I work as a tourist in South and North Cyprus?
- To work in South Cyprus as a tourist, you need a temporary work permit.
- A work permit is usually not required to work in Northern Cyprus as a tourist.
5. Can I buy property in South and North Cyprus?
- Yes, you can buy property in both parts of Cyprus.
6. What is the cost of living in South and North Cyprus?
- In general, the cost of living in North Cyprus is lower than in South Cyprus.
7. What are the most popular dishes of southern and northern Cyprus?
- Some of the most popular South Cyprus dishes include soufflaki, moussaka, kupehpi, and lozmia.
- Some of the most popular dishes of North Cyprus are: kebab, meatballs, pilaf
8. What other tourist attractions are there in South and North Cyprus?
- In addition to the attractions mentioned in the previous sections, Cyprus has other sightseeing and historical places, including:
- Antiquities: the royal tombs at Paphos, the ancient amphitheater of Korion, and the ancient city of Salamis.
- Museums: The Cyprus Archaeological Museum in Nicosia, the Lucigen Museum in Larnaca, and the Barbara Museum in Kyrenia.
- Cathedral: St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Nicosia, St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyrenia, and Bela
- Cathedral in Kyrenia
9. Can I easily access the internet in South and North Cyprus?
- Yes, there is widespread internet access in both parts of Cyprus.
10. What should I know about the culture of South and North Cyprus?
- Cypriot people are generally hospitable and warm.
- Cypriot culture is a combination of Greek, Turkish and Mediterranean cultures.
- In Cyprus, respect for customs and traditions is very important.
11. Is learning Greek or Turkish necessary to live in Cyprus?
- While English is widely spoken in some tourist areas, learning Greek or Turkish can help you communicate with locals and better integrate into society.
12. What should I consider before immigrating to South or North Cyprus?
- Before immigrating to Cyprus, you should thoroughly research the culture, lifestyle, cost of living, job market and immigration requirements.
- You should also be financially prepared to immigrate and start a new life in Cyprus.
We hope this article has provided you with comprehensive information on how life in South Cyprus compares with North Cyprus. If you have any questions, please ask in the comments section below.
Kargar consulting and investment company with more than 14 years of brilliant experience in investing in North Cyprus and buying property in North Cyprus and having more than 18 active branches in Iran, Turkey and North Cyprus, is ready to provide you with expert advice in Choosing the best place to live in Cyprus depends on your needs and budget.
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